Another matchday, another pair of Loons named to the week’s best lineup. After a fantastic Sunday showing in New York, it’s no surprise that midfielders Wil Trapp and Joaquín Pereyra have landed on the TOTM 7 list.
Trapp’s first goal of the season came in the 29th minute of a stellar first half when Pereyra delivered his free kick not into the box but to the feet of the wide-open midfielder. His right-footed shot from outside the box had NYCFC keeper Matt Freese grasping at a save only to deflect the ball right into the top of the net. Trapp’s move makes Minnesota’s fifth set piece goal of the season, the most in the league. Even outside of scoring, Trapp’s performance throughout the full 90 was both disciplined and creative. His positioning on both sides of the ball and top-notch passing put the Loons in good form leading to a 2-1 victory.
Pereyra locked down the assist for both of Minnesota’s goals, first in a fantastic pass right to the feet of striker Tani Oluwaseyi in only the first minute of play. He currently leads the club in both assists and touches, the quiet hero behind four of the Loons’ goals this season, a midfield maestro who consistently positions himself in the right place at the right time. Throughout the match, Pereyra serviced dangerous corners for a Minnesota side that thrives on set piece performance, and his playmaking from the midfield all season has showcased the exceptional talent the club signed him for last summer.
Following their sixth consecutive undefeated match and fourth win of the season, the Loons have slotted into third in the Western Conference. They look to stretch that streak this weekend on the road against Toronto FC in another interconference fixture, staying in tune with the best start the Boys in Black and Blue have had to a season so far.
F: Josef Martínez (SJ), Dejan Joveljić (SKC), Jacen Russell-Rowe (CLB)
M: Federico Bernardeschi (TOR), Diego Luna (RSL), Wil Trapp (MIN), Chucky Lozano (SD)D: Lukas Engel (CIN), Tristan Blackmon (VAN), Griffin Dorsey (HOU)GK: Carlos Coronel (RBNY)
Coach: Kerry Zavagnin (SKC)Bench: Brad Stuver (ATX), Omar Valencia (RBNY), Jeppe Tverskov (SD), Joaquín Pereyra (MIN), Jack McGlynn (HOU), Manu García (SKC), Cristian Espinoza (SJ), Idan Toklomati (CLT), Petar Musa (DAL)
